The group explored further in the complex, finding scrolls etched with records of alchemical recipes and refinement techniques. Though not on the scale of the grand repository they had once entered, it was still a remarkable find. Every sect would covet such knowledge.
The disciples worked quickly, carefully packing the pills and records. Fatty Kui's bag grew heavier by the minute, yet the grin on his round face only widened as he hefted the burden with ease.
Exploration continued until nightfall.
Thanks to the collaboration between the two sects, progress was smooth, far smoother than previous ventures. Traps were dismantled, beasts culled, and by the time the moon rose above the sky, they had thoroughly explored the complex.
Returning to camp that night, exhaustion clung to Han Yu's bones. The day's effort had been fruitful, and as he sat on his bedding, he was prepared to sink into sleep immediately. Yet just as his eyelids began to droop, a disciple came rushing into the tent.
"Senior Brother Han, Elder Qing has summoned you. Senior Brother Wu as well."
Han Yu blinked, confused, but rose without hesitation. Together with Wu Shuan, he followed the messenger. Their steps led them to one of the larger tents where lamplight spilled out onto the ground.
Inside, Elder Qing sat with a solemn expression. Beside him were Xuan Qing, Senior Brother Duan, and several other inner court disciples. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with anticipation.
Han Yu frowned, wondering what could warrant such a gathering.
"Elder Qing," he said respectfully, bowing. "You called for us?"
"Yes," the elder replied, his voice steady. "Sit down, both of you. There is a new assignment that you will take on tomorrow."
Han Yu and Wu Shuan exchanged a glance before sitting. The words that followed, however, made Han Yu's brows shoot up in surprise.
"You are being sent to the main tomb," Elder Qing declared.
Han Yu leaned forward, unable to contain his confusion. "The main tomb? But were we not told that disciples of our level were to focus on the other complexes? Why would we be sent there?"
The elder's gaze grew sharp, his tone brooking no argument. "Because things have changed. What we have uncovered within the main tomb is beyond expectation. Just as we had guessed, it is not merely a tomb, but an entire realm unto itself.
Within it lie herbs, fruits, beasts, and cultivation techniques scattered across the land. Its value dwarfs that of any single complex. Now that we know what it holds, the sect has decided to focus its strength there."
The room fell silent as the weight of those words sank in. A realm within a tomb, brimming with fortune. The implications were staggering. Han Yu felt his heart pound as he realized that tomorrow would mark a new stage of their journey.
The tent was silent for a long moment after Elder Qing's revelation.
The idea that the main tomb was in fact an entire realm left many of the disciples shaken. Even Han Yu, who had faced strange and dangerous trials already, felt his chest tighten with both apprehension and anticipation.
Elder Qing's gaze swept across the group, pausing on each face as though he were measuring the strength of their resolve. "There is more you need to know," he began. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
His voice was low, deliberate, every word carrying the weight of experience. "This realm within the tomb is vast, and we do not yet know its full nature. No one has managed to reach its end. It is possible that the realm itself may loop, folding back upon itself endlessly, or it may simply be larger than we have the means to measure right now."
A ripple of unease spread among the gathered disciples. Some whispered to themselves, others clenched their fists tightly in their laps.
"But there is another factor to consider," the elder continued. "Realms of this kind do not remain open indefinitely. Every tomb, whether minor or grand, has a time limit placed upon it. The duration can vary greatly. Some remain open for a few weeks. Others may last several months. We do not yet know how long this one will stay accessible."
One of the younger inner court disciples, his face pale, raised his hand hesitantly. "Elder Qing… forgive me, but what would happen if we do not leave the realm before it closes?"
The elder's eyes hardened, and for a moment the lamplight seemed to cast sharper shadows across his features. "That," he said gravely, "would be the worst possible scenario. If the realm closes while you are inside, you may not be able to leave until it opens again. And should the tomb remain sealed for thousands of years, then you will remain trapped for all that time."
Gasps filled the room.
"That means if we get trapped, unless we continue to cultivate and reach the Nascnet Soul realm or even beyond, we won't even live long enough to escape..."
Several disciples visibly shuddered, while others lowered their gazes, horror flashing across their faces. The idea of being imprisoned for millennia, of watching centuries slip by without escape, was enough to terrify even the most battle-hardened cultivator.
Elder Qing allowed their fear to settle before continuing. "This is why you must remember. No matter how great the treasures you find, no matter how close you think you are to a discovery, you must not gamble with time. Always be mindful of when you entered and how long you have been inside. Return before it is too late."
The disciples nodded quickly, their expressions solemn. None of them dared to take the warning lightly.
It was then that Han Yu leaned forward, his brows furrowed with thought. "Elder Qing," he said carefully, "is entry and exit to the realm unrestricted? Or is there some limit upon how many times one may go in and out?"
The elder nodded at the question, evidently expecting it. "So far, we have tested this. Entry and exit are indeed unrestricted. We have been able to send people in and bring them out as many times as necessary.